Affluent buyers are still very much attached to the luxury and capability of full-size SUVs. Truth be told, no crossover can match the muscle and stage presence of old-school behemoths like the Lincoln Navigator and Lexus LX 570.
See a side-by-side comparison of the Navigator & LX 570 >>
Both models continue to find fans among those who don't mind pumping a lot of gas in return for a feeling of owning the road. But which is better at delivering all the rewards they seek?
Where the LX 570 Scores
The silky luxury for which Lexus sedans are known transfers beautifully to LX 570. For something with such rugged DNA, the Lexus is remarkably smooth and quiet. The 5.7-liter V8 delivers 383 horsepower, good enough to get the LX up to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. It also achieves car-like braking distances and can tow up to 7,000 pounds, although cargo space is nothing special at 83 cubic feet.
All models get full-time four-wheel drive with crawl control, an impressive setup borrowed from the Toyota Land Cruiser. Although gas mileage takes a hit, the LX is better-equipped to tackle off-road obstacles than most large SUVs.
The sheer size of the Navigator is made all the more apparent by acres of chrome ornamentation and its intricate two-tier grille. It's more of the same inside, with huge swaths of real wood and lounge-like leather seating for up to eight. You get an incredible amount of standard equipment, including 14-speaker surround sound, ventilated front seats, a power folding third-row seat, and power-retractable running boards. Cargo space comes in at a full-size 104 cubic feet.
The independent rear suspension makes for relatively easy handling, and the ride is as smooth and hushed as you would expect in this league. Powered by a 310-horsepower 5.4-liter V8, the Navigator can tow up to 9,000 pounds, about as good as it gets for any SUV.
When looking at the Navigator, buyers might be downright thrilled by how much luxury and room their money can buy. The LX 570 shines once you get behind the wheel and experience its greater power and off-road talents.
Our Verdict: Lexus LX 570
Equal parts ruggedness and luxury, the Lexus is closer to our ideal of the ultimate SUV.
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